Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 $24.95 Green peppercorn, violet and blueberry aromatics stand shoulder to shoulder with bright plum and cherry flavours and then they hold hands and do the Gay Gordons (remember primary school folk-dancing?) with smooth, fine-grained oak and skin tannins accentuated by beautifully balanced acidity. Nicely made. http://www.millsreef.co.nz
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Urbn Vino Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 500ml
Urbn Vino Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 500ml $28 Classic Central Otago characters of black tea, cherry, redcurrant and cranberry burst forth from fruit trucked directly into the Dunedin CBD and made into wine in New Zealand’s first urban winery. Brendan Seal is the winemaker responsible for the Urbn Vino venture and he’s secured sensational … Read More
Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 2016
Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 2016 $24 Re-tasted on June 3rd 2020, this vintage (if you still have it in your cellar or spot one in a shop) is drinking rather superbly. Lashings of plum, chocolate, cherry and berry characters lead to soft, suede-like textures, warm, velvety notes and a long, smooth finish. … Read More
Brookfields Ohiti Estate Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Brookfields Ohiti Estate Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $20 If I were going to choose the most exciting cabernet sauvignon wines from New Zealand that swing in for $20, then the Ohiti Estate from Brookfield’s would be right up there. Bold, plummy, bursting with earthy, roasting pan meatiness and showing a plumpness on the finish … Read More
Squawking Magpie Stoned Crow Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2014
Squawking Magpie Stoned Crow Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2014 $49.95 Well dip me in pepper and call me spicy! This Gimblett Gravels pioneer just blasts past the competition when it comes to solid syrah. How? For starters the peppercorn, violets, blueberries, cherry and tobacco notes, earthy shadows and layers of leather mean it delivers on the … Read More
Elephant Hill Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017
Elephant Hill Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 $54 If anyone knows how to make exceptional syrah, it’s Steve Skinner. He’s been shepherding Elephant Hill’s fruit from their Bridge Pa, Gimblett Gravels and home vineyard at Te Awanga into the bottle for many many years and his skill is on show here. Blueberry, black pepper, dried … Read More
Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Merlot Malbec 2018
Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Merlot Malbec 2018 $24.95 Shiny and new from the Mills Reef crew (love me a wine rhyme) is this cracking blend of 61% merlot and 39% malbec from Hawke’s Bay’s superstar Gimblett Gravels sub-region. Cold-soaked for 5 days after being gently crushed has maximised extraction of colour and texture from … Read More
La Vedetta Swanti Barbaresco 2018
La Vedetta Swanti Barbaresco 2018 $35.90 A savoury, juicy, slightly peppery blend of 85% nebbiolo and 15% freisa (a lesser-known red grape) from Barbaresco in the Langhe region, that will definitely appeal to those who like an earthy yet tart style of red. Aged in stainless steel, the fruit notes (cherry, raspberry, cranberry) are firm … Read More
Le Filigare Chianti Classico 2016
Le Filigare Chianti Classico 2016 $33.10 This Tuscan blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Colorino creates a vibrant, zesty, smashable red wine stitched together with leather, hints of tobacco and espresso characters. Silky, soft and very very easy to drink. http://www.csiwinesnz.com
Castello Monterinaldi Rosato 2018
Castello Monterinaldi Rosato 2018 $24.80 100% Tuscan sangiovese has been used to create this lovely fruit-forward rosé which erupts with cherry, raspberry, cranberry and spice notes. Fresh, frisky and fanging with flavour, it’s a beautifully balanced example that’ll win friends and influence people. http://www.csiwinesnz.com